"I personally can't wait to see everyone and thank the
(Vassar) community as well as the surrounding communities that have shown
(their) love and support to my wife, daughter and myself through this trying
time. See everyone soon," he wrote.

Vassar residents have been calling Mills their hero for
months. Since April, yellow ribbons have been tied to trees throughout
neighborhoods and residents have walked around town in 'Vassar's Hero' T-shirts
that feature a photo of Mills.

Before the parade, Mills is visiting his parents at their
Vassar home.

Since April 10, when Mills stepped on an improvised
explosive device while on his third tour of duty, the Vassar native has been recovering
and participating in physical therapy at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in
Bethesda, Md.

After the parade, there will be a bonfire and other
scheduled activities to celebrate the Mills family and the homecoming events.

On Friday, Mills will address the crowd before the football
game begins. He will take the field around 6:15 p.m. as part of a pregame
ceremony. There will be fireworks immediately after the game.

Kelsey Mills said her husband has been strong through the recovery process.

"I just feel truly blessed to be married to such a strong,
courageous man," she said.

"Travis' visit home will be an emotional event, not only for Travis and
his family, but for the entire community and surrounding communities who have
been following Travis' remarkable story," David Pratt said in a news
release about the homecoming events.

Mills played football, basketball and baseball when he
attended Vassar High School. Some of his former coaches played large roles in
creating fundraisers to raise proceeds for the Mills family.